Lady Indians lose 72-61 game to Western Nebraska

The McCook Community College women's basketball team dropped a 72-61 game to Western Nebraska Friday at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

MCC raced to a 9-3 lead, three minutes into the game but Western Nebraska tightened things up and led after one quarter 24-17 and at the half 37-25.

"It seems like it's the same thing every time we lose – turnovers and offensive rebounds continue to plague us," said MCC Coach Brandon Pritchett "We have to find our hearts and our passion to take care of the ball and box out."

The Cougars picked up 15 offensive rebounds on the night and took 16 more shots from the field than MCC. Western Nebraska also took advantage of 16 MCC turnovers.

Western Nebraska shot 38.6 percent from the field, made seven of 30 3-pointers (23.3 percent and made 11 of 12 free throws (91.7 percent). The Cougars outrebounded MCC 39-30.

MCC shot 46.3 percent from the field, made four of 10 shots from the 3-point line and seven of 12 free throws (58.3 percent).

"We shot the ball well and when you hold a team to 39 percent from the field and 23 percent from the 3-point line, but give up 15 offensive rebounds, it's a different game," said Pritchett. "If you take away half of those offensive rebounds, they're shooting less than 30 percent from the field."

Sophomores Suzan Sisman (Aarhus, Denmark) and Gemma Gruettner Bacoul (Berlin, Germany) both scored 14 points, Audra Vine (Thornton, Colo.) scored 12 and led the team with six rebounds, Rebecca Dunn (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored nine and Noa Iglesias Chorda (Barcelona, Spain) scored seven points and had five rebounds.

"We were more aggressive getting to the paint, but left five layups on the board in the first half," said Pritchett. "We were a little more balance scoring-wise and continue to get others involved."

Western Nebraska outscored MCC 42-5 in bench points.

"This is a tough one to lose at home because I thought we had a really good shot at winning," said Pritchett.

Western Nebraska improves to 5-3 in the Region IX South standings and 21-6 overall.

MCC falls to 3-5 and 14-13 on the season.

The Lady Indians will wrap up the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference schedule Monday at Beatrice for a game against Southeast Community College.

MCC will then close out the season next weekend at home hosting Trinidad State Friday (Feb. 23) at 5:30 p.m. and Otero Junior College Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. MCC sophomores will be honored prior to that game.